Born To Die At Stromboli

« Think, the world remembers only the poets. The name of a country depends on how its poets behave. » Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the Philosopher-President of India* Whoever dies at his Stromboli needs no excuse to be born as those who sail their ships to the farther regions of the mind even if they lose their way finding their way back to sanity While those who invent the Soul construct pyramids cathedrals stupas to raise those royal patrons who raised them to the skies or even those who lived to soothe others with televisions cars innoculations like those who raised townships settled industries on reclaimable land Much like those who gave their names to bills of rights to streets faculty buildings political dynasties All these and more may need no excuse Such even centuries hence may not accuse But where alas is the poet the painter of million melodies assailing the living tastes of times and bounded traditions they that need to be examined explained exclaimed declaimed Men who have strayed from the volcano of their birth For fear of leaving no revenge nor challenge on this earth Note * The philosopher’s parting words to me in New Delhi when he was the vice-president in May 1961. ©: T. Wignesan, May 30, 1987 [from the collection : back to background material, 1993]